iBride launched the Visconti Family Tree at Maison & Objet on 20th January. Ostensibly a collection of tea trays, when viewed collectively they form a feline family tree.
Each tray features a sphynx cat in posed for a portrait in his or her Sunday best. A biography for each cat gives you an insight into their character and starts to build a picture of the family dynamics…
“Discreet, loving and benevolent, Hermance always remained in the shadow of her husband, Isidore…”
“Irina directed her workroom of apprentice seamstresses (‘little hands’ in the French version)… with the utmost rigour… and supposedly even frequented the same social circles as Coco Chanel at her debut.”
“Following in his father’s footsteps, both ambitious and widely travelled, Edgar made the family business prosper. He even took great pleasure in having singlehandedly brought the sharkskin up to date.”
“Her piano and art lessons not only taught her good manners; in the privileged position of the youngest child, she adopted Sarah Bernhardt’s famous motto “despite all” to exert her audacity and total disregard for social convention.” (Victoire)
I love the dark sense of humour and surreal aesthetic of iBride’s work and this new launch is no exception. What surprised me is how quickly cats in suits on tea trays become perfectly normal as you get drawn into this quirky family saga.
